Steerable laser probe

Abstract

A steerable laser probe may include a handle having a handle distal end and a handle proximal end, an actuation control of the handle, a flexible housing tube having a flexible housing tube distal end and a flexible housing tube proximal end, an optic fiber disposed within an inner portion of the handle and the flexible housing tube, and a cable disposed within the flexible housing tube and the actuation control. A rotation of the actuation control may be configured to gradually curve the flexible housing tube and the optic fiber. A rotation of the actuation control may be configured to gradually straighten the flexible housing tube and the optic fiber.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for performing an ophthalmic photocoagulation procedure comprising:
 applying a first force vector to a first portion of an actuation control of a handle wherein the handle had a handle distal end and a handle proximal end and wherein the first force vector is directed towards the handle proximal end and away from the handle distal end; 
 rotating the actuation control about a fixation pin within a handle inner portion of the handle until the actuation control is in a first position within the handle inner portion; 
 curving a flexible housing tube and an optic fiber until the optic fiber is in a first curved position wherein the optic fiber is disposed within the flexible housing tube, the handle inner portion, and an actuation chamber of the actuation control that extends between a distal end and a proximal end of the actuation control and wherein the flexible housing tube has dimensions configured to perform an ophthalmic surgical procedure; 
 removing the first force vector from the first portion of the actuation control; 
 fixing the actuation control in the first position within the handle inner portion by a force between an auto-fixing component of the handle and the actuation control; 
 aiming a distal end of the optic fiber at a first photocoagulation target; 
 fixing the optic fiber in the first curved position; 
 applying a second force vector to a second portion of the actuation control wherein the second force vector is directed towards the handle proximal end and away from the handle distal end; 
 rotating the actuation control about the fixation pin within the handle inner portion until the actuation control is in a second position within the handle inner portion; 
 curving the flexible housing tube and the optic fiber until the optic fiber is in a second curved position; 
 removing the second force vector from the second portion of the actuation control; 
 fixing the actuation control in the second position within the handle inner portion by the force between the auto-fixing component of the handle and the actuation control; and 
 fixing the optic fiber in the second curved position. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the flexible housing tube is manufactured from Nitinol. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein the second curved position is at least 45 degrees greater than the first curved position. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  further comprising: aiming the distal end of the optic fiber at a second photocoagulation target. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 inserting the flexible housing tube in a cannula. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 curving the flexible housing tube and the optic fiber until the optic fiber is in the first curved position without increasing a length of a portion of the flexible housing tube within an eye. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 curving the flexible housing tube and the optic fiber until the optic fiber is in the first curved position without decreasing a length of a portion of the flexible housing tube within an eye. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 applying a third force vector to a third portion of the actuation control wherein the third force vector is directed towards the handle proximal end and away from the handle distal end. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8  further comprising: rotating the actuation control about the fixation pin within the handle inner portion until the actuation control is in a third position within the handle inner portion. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9  further comprising:
 curving the flexible housing tube and the optic fiber until the optic fiber is in a third curved position. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10  further comprising:
 removing the third force vector from the third portion of the actuation control. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11  further comprising:
 fixing the actuation control in the third position within the handle inner portion by the force between the auto-fixing component of the handle and the actuation control. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 11  further comprising:
 fixing the optic fiber in the third curved position. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13  wherein the third curved position is at least 45 degrees greater than the first curved position. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 13  wherein the third curved position is at least 45 degrees greater than the second curved position. 
     
     
       16. A method for performing an ophthalmic photocoagulation procedure comprising:
 inserting a flexible housing tube in a cannula wherein the flexible housing tube has dimensions configured to perform an ophthalmic surgical procedure; 
 applying a first force vector to a first portion of an actuation control of a handle wherein the handle had a handle distal end and a handle proximal end and wherein the first force vector is directed towards the handle proximal end and away from the handle distal end; 
 rotating the actuation control about a fixation pin within a handle inner portion of the handle until the actuation control is in a first position within the handle inner portion; 
 curving the flexible housing tube and an optic fiber until the optic fiber is in a first curved position wherein the optic fiber is disposed within the flexible housing tube, the handle inner portion, and an actuation chamber of the actuation control that extends between a distal end and a proximal end of the actuation control; 
 removing the first force vector from the first portion of the actuation control; 
 fixing the actuation control in the first position within the handle inner portion by a force between an auto-fixing component of the handle and the actuation control; 
 aiming a distal end of the optic fiber at a photocoagulation target; 
 fixing the optic fiber in the first curved position; 
 applying a second force vector to a second portion of the actuation control wherein the first force vector is directed towards the handle proximal end and away from the handle distal end; 
 rotating the actuation control about the fixation pin within the handle inner portion until the actuation control is in a second position within the handle inner portion; and 
 curving the flexible housing tube and the optic fiber until the optic fiber is in a second curved position wherein the second curved position is at least 45 degrees greater than the first curved position. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16  further comprising:
 fixing the optic fiber in the second curved position by the force between an auto-fixing component of the handle and the actuation control. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17  further comprising:
 curving the flexile housing tube and the optic fiber until the optic fiber is in a third curved position. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18  further comprising:
 fixing the optic fiber in the third curved position.